You Say It’s Your Birthday?

Fourteen years ago, a small club opened on Main Street in Asbury Park, presenting live original music seven nights a week. At the time, it would have probably been hard to predict that The Saint would become a bedrock of the Asbury music scene, supporting up and coming local bands as well as national touring acts, while at the same time becoming, in a way, the city’s rock n’roll version of “Cheers,” where musicians and fans hang out together and everybody does know your name. But that is what The Saint has become, and today owners Adam Weisberg and Scott Stamper are proudly celebrating its 14th anniversary.

The club has survived through tough times for Asbury Park, years when even the legendary Stone Pony closed down and the waterfront was in tatters. It’s still thriving today, as Asbury attempts yet another come-back. Over the years, big names like Creed, Jewel, Everlast, moe, Incubus, Marcy Playground, the Fun Loving Criminals, Nashville Pussy and Ben Folds Five have played this small room. But perhaps even more importantly, its served as a showcase for local bands like Last Perfect Thing, Readymade Break-Up, Arlan Feiles and the Lone Howdys, Divine Sign and Status Green, younger groups that get to play before music-loving audiences that appreciate them just as much as the bigger names.

So happy birthday to The Saint. Hope there are many, many more birthdays to come.

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About Jean Mikle

Jean Mikle has worked at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years, most recently as an investigative reporter on the Projects Team. In her "other life," she’s a fan and proponent of the Asbury Park music scene, both then (Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny Lyon) and now (Wave Gathering, The Stone Pony, The Saint) and all sorts of new music.

About this Blog

Where the music plays all the time

About the Author

Alex BieseAn Asbury Park Press staff writer since 2005, Alex Biese is a proud member of the local music community, both as a journalist and a musician. Along with his work for the Press, he has written for outlets including MTV.com and Film Festival today magazine.E-mail Alex

Jean MikleJean Mikle has worked at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years, most recently as an investigative reporter on the Projects Team. In her "other life," she’s a fan and proponent of the Asbury Park music scene, both then (Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny Lyon) and now (Wave Gathering, The Stone Pony, The Saint) and all sorts of new music.E-mail Jean